On an energetic morning, Auntie Li began her tai chi practice as usual, but the difference was that this time she felt a tingling pain in her neck, which was not unfamiliar, but more intense than usual. She remembered that a few days ago, while chatting with friends, someone mentioned the problem of "bone spurs", and she herself seemed to be the "victim" of this problem. This troubled Aunt Li very much, and she eagerly wondered: "What should I do if I have a 'bone spur'?" Do you need to avoid food in your life? ”
Bone spurs, or osteophytes, may sound like a problem only for older people, but in reality, it doesn't pick age. This phenomenon of bone edge hyperplasia mostly occurs in the cervical spine, lumbar spine and knee joints, and the causes behind it are complex and diverse, including bone wear and tear caused by aging, long-term physical exertion or pressure on the joints caused by poor posture.
Bone spurs do not occur overnight, they are the product of long-term adaptation of bones and joints to external stress. A bone spur may not cause any symptoms on its own, but when its size or location affects the surrounding nerves or soft tissues, problems such as pain, swelling, and even limited movement can occur.
Diagnosis of bone spurs: Not all pain is to blame for bone spurs
The diagnosis of bone spurs cannot be confirmed by one or two symptoms, but by imaging tests. The most commonly used is an X-ray, which clearly shows the location and size of the bone spur. In some cases, your doctor may also recommend a CT or MRI to get more detailed information about your joints and soft tissues.
However, the discovery of a bone spur does not always mean that it is the direct cause of the symptoms. Doctors evaluate the relationship between bone spurs and symptoms based on a combination of symptoms, physical examination results, and imaging data. In this process, the patient's subjective description is crucial, such as the nature of the pain, its duration, and the activities affected.
Bone spurs, although not fatal pain, are enough to affect the quality of life. In the face of this common orthopedic disease, many patients first think of drugs**. However, in addition to medications, there are a range of ** means to choose from.
Non-surgical**: A multi-pronged approach
Physics**:Through hot compresses, electrotherapy and other methods, local blood circulation is accelerated, muscle tension is relieved, and pain is reduced. Especially for patients with mild to moderate bone spurs, regular physical ** can significantly improve symptoms.
Medications**:Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to reduce inflammation and pain. However, it should be noted that long-term or excessive use may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, so it should be used according to the doctor's advice.
Functional exercise: Customize a set of functional exercise programs that suit you, by strengthening the surrounding muscles, increasing the stability and flexibility of the joints, thereby reducing the discomfort caused by bone spurs.
Surgery**: Carefully considered
For people with severe bone spurs, your doctor may recommend surgery when symptoms are not relieved by non-surgery**. Surgery usually involves removing bone spurs and repairing damaged tissue. However, there are certain risks and recovery periods associated with surgery, so patients should fully understand the necessity and possible consequences of surgery before deciding on surgery.
The impact of diet on patients with bone spurs cannot be ignored. Appropriate dietary adjustments can assist** and alleviate symptoms.
Balanced diet: nutritional support
Ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is essential for maintaining bone health. Calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, green leafy vegetables, and vitamin D-rich foods such as fish and egg yolks should be part of the daily diet. At the same time, maintain dietary diversity and ensure adequate protein and trace element intake to support the overall health of the body.
Don't tip: Do it in moderation
Reduce high-purine foods: High-purine foods, such as red meat and seafood, may exacerbate inflammation and should be reduced in moderation.
Control high-sodium foods:Excessive sodium intake not only increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, but may also accelerate calcium loss. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the intake of processed foods and fast food.
Anti-inflammatory foods:Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, such as deep-sea fish, nuts, and green leafy vegetables, have natural anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as part of the diet.
Lifestyle adjustments: Attention to detail
In addition to medications** and dietary modifications, small lifestyle changes can make a difference. Avoiding staying in the same position for long periods of time and engaging in regular low-impact exercises, such as swimming or yoga, can not only increase joint flexibility, but also reduce the burden on your joints caused by excess weight. In addition, getting a good night's sleep and moderate daily activity are equally important for maintaining joint health.